Archive for the ‘Historical’ Category

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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Picasso’s Lovers organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Jeanne Mackin will award a randomly drawn winner a $25 Amazon or B&N Gift Card. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Picasso’s Lovers

by Jeanne Mackin

 

 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

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You know Pablo Picasso. Now meet the women behind the masterpieces. The women of Picasso’s life are glamorous and elusive, existing in the shadow of his fame – until, in the 1950’s, aspiring journalist Alana Olsen determines to bring one into the light and discovers a past complicated by secrets and intrique.

 

Enjoy this peek inside:

Gazes from Pablo Picasso are like brushstrokes. Some are long, lingering, full of texture and pigment. Some are short, shallow, even accidental. His gaze on me now falls somewhere between the two.

Once, his gaze would have found enough for an entire painting. He would have seen flesh, and the bone and muscle under the flesh, the question or certainty of the eyes. He would have seen past, present, and future and painted them in a way that made time irrelevant.

Yes, that was how he pained me. Everything and at once, all the angles and geometry of the body, and he made of me something eternal and always beautiful. That is what an artists can do for a woman. When most men looked at me, all I saw in their faces was desire, the urge to possess. When Pablo looked at me, his face filled with wonder waiting to be translated to lines and brushstrokes.

Spring. The second year of the Great War. I wasn’t twenty yet, and had returned from cold, starving Moscow, where a loaf of bread coast as much as a silk dress…Back to Paris for me!

When Pablo first saw me, I was sitting on the rim of the Wallace Fountain in Place Emile, face turned up to the sun like a basking cat, enjoying the fine day and wondering what adventure I might find…It was early summer. I had stolen a bunch of cherries at Les Halles and a roll, but my stomach rattled.

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About Author Jeanne Mackin:

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Jeanne Mackin is the author of several historical novels, including The Last Collection, which has been translated into five languages, and The Beautiful American, which won a CNY award for fiction. She has taught in the MFA Creative Writing program at Goddard College and won journalism awards, and is currently at work on her next novel.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Purchase Link: Amazon

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the MISS AUSTEN INVESTIGATES: THE HAPLESS MILLINER by Jessica Bull Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours.

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Check out my review and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

MISS AUSTEN INVESTIGATES: THE HAPLESS MILLINER

by Jessica Bull

 

 

Pub. Date: February 27, 2024

Publisher: Union Square Co.

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 368

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Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/THE-HAPLESS-MILLINER

 

A witty, engaging murder mystery
featuring Jane Austen as an intrepid amateur sleuth—the first in a series.

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Jane Austen—sparkling, spirited, and incredibly clever—is suddenly thrust into
a mystery when a milliner’s dead body is found locked inside a cupboard in the
middle of a ball. When Jane’s brother Georgy is found with some jewelry
belonging to the deceased, the local officials see it as an open-and-shut case:
one which is likely to end with his death. Jane is certain that he is innocent,
and there is more to the murder than meets the eye. Her investigations send her
on a journey through local society, as Jane’s suspect list keeps on growing—
and her keen observational skills of people will be put to the test to solve
the crime and save her brother. 

Featuring the same lively wit, insightful social commentary, and relatable
characters that have made Jane Austen books into perennial classics, this first
entry in the Miss Austen Investigates series is perfect for anyone who
enjoyed The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl or other historical
mystery books based on real people, as well as fans looking to add to their
Jane Austen collection.

 

 

MY REVIEW

I was already in my 30s when I finally jumped on the Jane Austen bandwagon. I read as much as I could get my hands on. When I had an opportunity to read about a younger version of Jane and it was a cozy mystery, which is a category I love, I had high hopes it would give me an authenticate character as Jane and all the fun and quirkiness of a cozy mystery.

I wasn’t disappointed. The going was slow at the beginning. There were a lot of characters, many that I recognized, and I had to get accustomed to Jane as more of an amateur at sleuthing. Once I got comfortable it was all great fun. There was a huge list of suspects and many false leads. That made figuring out the culprit harder for me and I was eager to find out who it was. Sped through this in one reading and will be watching for the next book in the series. It should be fun to see what kind of mystery the author drops Jane into next.

4 STARS

 

 

About Author Jessica Bull:

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Jessica
Bull
grew up in
southeast London, where she still lives with her husband, two daughters, and
far too many pets. She’s addicted to stories and studied English Literature at
Bristol University, and Information Science at City University, London. She
began work as a librarian (under the false impression she could sit and read
all day), before becoming a communications consultant. Miss Austen
Investigates: The Hapless Milliner is her debut novel.

Twitter | InstagramTikTokGoodreads | Amazon

 

 

 

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1 winner will receive a finished copy of MISS AUSTEN INVESTIGATES: THE HAPLESS MILLINER,
US Only.

Ends March 5th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

2/19/2024

Kountry
Girl Bookaholic

Guest Post/IG Post

2/20/2024

Two Chicks on
Books

Guest Post/IG Post

2/21/2024

@stargirls.magical.tale

IG Review

2/22/2024

Kim’s
Book Reviews and Writing Aha’s

Review/IG Post

2/23/2024

anitralovesbooksanddogs

IG Review

Week Two:

2/26/2024

Country Mamas
With Kids

Review/IG Post

2/27/2024

@dana.loves.books

IG Review/TikTok Post

2/28/2024

Two Points of
Interest

Review

2/29/2024

Confessions Of
The Perfect Mom

Review/IG Post

3/1/2024

FUONLYKNEW

Review

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Murder in Masquerade (A Lady of Letters Mystery)
by Mary Winters

 


Murder in Masquerade (A Lady of Letters Mystery)
Historical Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – London, 1860
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (February 20, 2024)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593548787
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593548783
Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C5V8FY7P

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Extra, extra, read all about it! Countess turned advice columnist Amelia Amesbury finds herself playing the role of sleuth when a night at the theatre turns deadly.

Victorian Countess Amelia Amesbury’s secret hobby, writing an advice column for a London penny paper, has gotten her into hot water before. After all, Amelia will do whatever it takes to help a reader in need. But now, handsome marquis Simon Bainbridge desperately requires her assistance. His beloved younger sister, Marielle, has written Amelia’s Lady Agony column seeking advice on her plans to elope with a man her family does not approve of. Determined to save his sister from a scoundrel and the family from scandal, Simon asks Amelia to dissuade Marielle from the ill-advised gambit.

But when the scoundrel makes an untimely exit after a performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto, Amelia realizes there’s much more at stake than saving a young woman’s reputation from ruin. It’s going to take more than her letter-writing skills to help the dashing marquis, mend the familial bond, and find the murderer. Luckily, solving problems is her specialty!

About Mary Winters

© Julie Prairie Photography 2016

Mary Winters is the author of the Lady of Letters historical mystery series. She also writes cozy mysteries under the name Mary Angela. A longtime reader and fan of historical fiction, Mary set her latest work in Victorian England after being inspired by a trip to London. Since then, she’s been busily planning her next mystery—and another trip! Find out more about Mary and her writing, reading, and teaching at marywintersauthor.com.

Author Links: Website / Blog / Facebook / Instagram / Goodreads

Purchase Links – AmazonB&NBAMBookshop.orgPowell’s BooksHudson Booksellers

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 20 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW  

February 21 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

February 21 – Jane Reads – REVIEW

February 22 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

February 22 – fundinmental– SPOTLIGHT

February 23 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW

February 23 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 24 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

February 24 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

February 25 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT

February 26 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 26 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

February 27 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

February 28 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

February 28 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT

February 29 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 1 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

March 1 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

March 2 – The Mystery of Writing – REVIEW

March 2 – Review Thick And Thin – REVIEW

March 2 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

March 3 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

March 4 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

March 4 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

 

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for On The Threshold organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author M. Laszlo will award a $25 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

On The Threshold

by M. Laszlo

 

 

Genre: Historical Science Fiction

Synopsis

Obsessed with learning the origins of the cosmos, the actual meaning of life, and the true purpose of civilization, a fine Scotsman named Fingal T. Smyth dedicates himself to the study of Plato’s most extraordinary ideas. Convinced of Plato’s belief that humankind possesses any and all innate knowledge deep within the collective unconscious mind, Fingal soon conducts a series of bold, pioneering occult-science experiments by which to resolve the riddle of the universe once and for all. However, Fingal forgets how violent and perilous the animal impulses that reside in the deepest recesses of the unconscious mind. And when Fingal unleashes a mysterious avatar of his innate knowledge, the entity appears as a burning man and immediately seeks to manipulate innocent and unsuspecting people everywhere into immolating themselves. Now, with little hope of returning the fiery figure into his being, Fingal must capture his nemesis before it destroys the world.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Fräulein Wunderwaffe did not return the smile. Hand on heart, the little girl drew a bit closer. Then, as the hot, animalistic presence undulated all across Fingal’s body, the little girl’s eyes grew wide. Until the little girl’s expression turned to that of a vacant stare.

 

A moment later, her feet pointed inwards, she removed her hat and undid her long, flaxen hair.

 

Again, he cringed. “If you’ve noticed something, ignore all. This hasn’t got anything to do with you.” A third time, he cringed.

 

A most ethereal, lyrical, incomprehensible hiss commenced then: from the other end of the winding, decorative-brick driveway, each clay block shining the color of blue Welsh stone, a sleek Siamese cat with a coat of chocolate-spotted ivory had just appeared. And now the creature raced toward his shadow.

 

As he looked into the animal’s big, searching, blue eyes, the chocolate Siamese studied the off-center tip of his nose. Then the animal turned away, as if to compare the peculiarity with that of some disembodied visage hovering in the distance.

 

Out upon the loch, meanwhile, a miraculous rogue wave suddenly arose—and now the swell crashed against the pebbly strand.

 

Not a moment later, a cool flame crawled across Fingal’s throat. The strange fire rattled, too—not unlike the sound of fallen juniper leaves caught up in the current and dancing against the surface of a stone walkway.

 

Crivens. By now, the alien, pulsating presence held him so tight that he could barely breathe. Before long, he fell to the earth, and as the dreamlike flame continued to move across his throat, he rolled all about—until the illusory sensation of cool warmth wriggled and twisted and dropped into his neck dimple.

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About Author M. Laszlo

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

M. Laszlo is an aging recluse who lives in Bath, Ohio. Rumor holds that his pseudonym is a reference to Victor Laszlo, a character in the classic film Casablanca. On the Threshold is his first release with the acclaimed, Australian hybrid house AIA Publishing. Oddly, M. Laszlo insists that his latest work, On the Threshold, does in fact provide the correct answer to the riddle of the universe.

 

Buy Link

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for The Spinster, The Rebel, And The Governor organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Charlene Bell Deitz will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The Spinster, The Rebel, And The Governor

by Charlene Bell Deitz

 

 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

Move over Susan B. Anthony. There’s an unsung woman asking for the vote 224 years before you, and murderous rebels and bigoted gentlemen can’t prevent spinster Lady Margaret Brent from wielding her power to defend Maryland settlers from plunder and obliteration.

Lady Margaret Brent, compelled to right wrongs, risks her life by illegally educating English women, placing her family at risk. She fights to have a voice, yet her father and brothers exclude her from discussions. Worried the kings’ men may know of her illegal activities, she flees to the New World where she can enjoy religious tolerance and own land, believing she will be allowed a voice. Once in Maryland, she presents cases in provincial court where she’s hired as the first American woman attorney, but there she uncovers perilous actions, prompting her to build a fort to shield those within from being murdered. Can Margaret Brent’s integrity and ingenuity protect Maryland from being destroyed?

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Their cousin Cecil, the second Lord Baltimore, addressed the men. “I’ve spoken of colonization before. You’ve listened politely, but your loyalties remain with your king and England. I understand, as do mine.”

“Then you’ve no need to speak more of this.” Edward said.

“But I do.” Cecil narrowed his eyes.

Richard said, “You forgot something rather important, my friend.”

Cecil hesitated.

“You must consider the king’s act that restrains the popishly bred from going beyond the seas and the punishments for those who assist.”

Giles looked up from the map. “Popish—the hell. King Charles can’t even bring himself to say Catholic.”

“Silly. Everyone but those of us who are says ‘popish.’” Margaret now waited for her father to reprimand her, but he said nothing.

“A serious point, my friend. Dangerous times, indeed,” said Cecil. “King Charles’s wrath increases and will come down on those who refuse to conform to the Church of England.”

Fulke shut his eyes a moment before saying, “You’re a kind gentleman, sir. But if you pursue this, you will certainly lose everything you and your father have acquired. Even your mentioning this to us puts you in jeopardy.”

“Every second of every day puts us all in jeopardy. Today and the weeks forward, your family may suffer destruction beyond your imagination.” He took several paces then stopped and studied each of the men. “Please, friends, decide to take my offer. It takes time and special negotiations to arrange a safe passage for you. Remember, a most disagreeable mood has overtaken England concerning passengers who refuse to take the oath of allegiance and acknowledge the king’s supremacy. We need to be clever so as not to be entrapped.”

A tap on the door stopped the conversation. Mary glanced at her father, then rose, and opened it.

Pursell stood waiting to be acknowledged.

“Yes?” said Richard.

“Sir, supper will be served within the hour, and also there’s a man at the back door. He’s asked to speak with you.”

 “Cecil, good friend, will you join us in a late supper?”

“It’s past time for me to be on my way to Ilmington. Please consider what we’ve discussed. I’ll send word where we may engage in a private meeting.”

“Pursell,” Richard said, “have Dary see Lord Calvert’s carriage and horse are brought forth.”

Lord Calvert strode to the table. He placed with great care what must have been his cherished map on top and slid the stack into a burgundy, embossed leather folio. Gathering his cape and hat and in good cheer, bowed his farewell.

Her father squinted at his servant. “Tell me, what brings this fellow to our door at this hour?”

“He says his name is John Coates, sir. It seems a young girl saw Lady Margaret talking with his son earlier this afternoon. His son has gone missing, and the sheriff has found a dead man.”

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About Author Charlene Bell Deitz:

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Charlene Bell Dietz lives in the central mountains of New Mexico. She taught kindergarten through high school, served as a school administrator, and an adjunct instructor for the College of Santa Fe. After retirement she traveled the United States providing instruction for school staff and administrators. Her writing includes published articles, children’s stories, short stories, and mystery and historical novels

 

Author Links: Email / Website / Twitter

Purchase Link

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Murder Under A Honey Moon:
A 1930s Mona Moon Historical Cozy Mystery
by Abigail Keam

 


Murder Under A Honey Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Historical Cozy Mystery
Historical Cozy Mystery
12th in Series
Setting – On the RMS Majesty ocean liner in the Atlantic
Worker Bee Press (February 19, 2024)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 250 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BZM4YVF4

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Mona Moon and her new husband, Robert Farley, Duke of Brynelleth, are on their honeymoon at last. They have just boarded the RMS Majesty ocean liner. The couple are looking forward to visiting Robert’s ancestral English home, Brynelleth, and then off to Paris before winding up on the Italian Riviera. After a romantic evening of dancing until the wee hours of the night, Mona and Robert discover their suite has been ransacked and Mona’s jewelry, supposedly secured in their stateroom, has been stolen.

Mona is horrified, as some of the jewelry belongs to the Brynelleth Estate and were cherished pieces of Robert’s mother. The ship’s crew searches the ocean liner, and a gold brooch turns up in a bartender’s cabin. It is the same bartender who served Mona earlier in the evening. The only problem is the bartender has been murdered and the rest of the jewelry is still missing.

 

About Abigail Keam

Award-winning author Abigail Keam writes the Mona Moon Mystery Series—a rags-to-riches 1930s mystery series, which includes real people and events into the story line. “I am a student of history and love to insert historical information into my mysteries. There is an addendum at the end of the mystery to give more information. My goal is to entertain my readers, but if they learn a little something along the way—well, then we are both happy.”

Miss Abigail currently lives on the Palisades bordering the Kentucky River in a metal house with her husband and various critters.

THE MONA MOON MYSTERY SERIES

1930s Historical Mysteries

Murder Under A Blue Moon I

Murder Under A Blood Moon II

Murder Under A Bad Moon III

Murder Under A Silver Moon IV

Murder Under A Wolf Moon V

Murder Under A Black Moon VI

Murder Under A Full Moon VII

Murder Under A New Moon VIII

Murder Under A English Moon IX

Murder Under A British Moon X

Murder Under A Bridal Moon XI

Murder Under A Honeymoon XII

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Amazon / TikTok

Purchase Links –   Amazon –   Barnes and Noble –  AppleKobo

AWARDS
2010 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By A HoneyBee
2011 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Drowning
2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By Drowning
2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By A HoneyBee
2017 Finalist from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Design
2019 Honorable Mention from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Stalking
2019 Top 10 Mystery Novels from Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A Blue Moon2
2019 Honorable Mention from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Stalking: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
2019 Top 10 Mystery Novels from Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A Blue Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery
2020 Imadjinn Award for Best Mystery – Death By Stalking: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
2022 Finalist in Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A Full Moon
2022 Finalist for the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A New Moon
2022 Death By Chance: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Cozy Mystery
2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A Bridal Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery
2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A British Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 19 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT

February 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

February 19 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 20 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT  

February 20 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

February 20 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 21 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

February 21 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

February 21 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 22 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

February 22 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST

February 23 – Books to the Ceiling – SPOTLIGHT – PODCAST

February 23 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

February 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

February 24 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

February 24 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

February 25 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

February 25 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT 

February 25 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Welcome to my stop on the LIGHT AND AIR by Mindy Nichols Wendell Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours.

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Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

 

LIGHT AND AIR

Author: Mindy Nichols Wendell

 

 

Pub. Date: January 2, 2024

Publisher: Holiday House

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 218

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Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/LIGHT-AND-AIR 

 

It’s 1935, and tuberculosis is
ravaging the nation. Everyone is afraid of this deadly respiratory illness. But
what happens when you actually have it?

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When Halle and her mother both come down with TB, they are shunned—and then
they are sent to the J.N. Adam Tuberculosis Hospital: far from home, far from
family, far from the world.

Tucked away in the woods of upstate New York, the hospital is a closed and
quiet place. But it is not, Halle learns, a prison. Free of her worried and
difficult father for the first time in her life, she slowly discovers joy,
family, and the healing power of honey on the children’s ward, where the girls
on the floor become her confidantes and sisters. But when Mama suffers a lung
hemorrhage, their entire future—and recovery—is thrown into question….

Light and Air deals tenderly and insightfully with isolation,
quarantine, found family, and illness. Set in the fully realized world of a
1930s hospital, it offers a tender glimpse into a historical epidemic that has
become more relatable than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As Halle tries to
warm her father’s coldness and learns to trust the girls and
women of the hospital, and as she and her mother battle a disease that once
paralyzed the country, a profound message of strength, hope, and healing emerges.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

 

 

Enjoy this peek inside:

Excerpt from Light and Air / Text copyright © 2024 by Mindy Nichols Wendell. Reproduced with permission from Holiday House Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. 

 

CHAPTER ONE

 

September 1935

 

The doors of the small white schoolhouse burst open. Children spilled out into the golden afternoon like bees whose hive had been disturbed.

 

The oldest boys came first, shoving and scowling. Most of them were headed home to help in the fields. Getting out of school early didn’t mean nearly as much to them as it did to Halle, who tumbled out the door arm in arm with Thelma, her best friend.

 

Halle squinted up at the brilliant blue September sky and grinned. It was the kind of blue that made you feel very small but also very hopeful. Taking a deep breath, she filled her lungs with the fresh, sweet air. She couldn’t wait to get home, fly through her chores, and then spend the rest of this perfect afternoon outside pretending it was still summer.

 

Jennie and Fran, two of the other fifth-grade girls, caught up with Halle and Thelma.

 

“Don’t forget to bring your paper dolls tomorrow, Halle,” Jennie said. “So we can make more clothes for them at lunch.”

 

“I’ll remember,” Halle promised. Jennie dreamed of becoming a dress designer and liked to practice by making paper doll clothes. She especially loved dressing the dolls Halle’s mother had made; she said they looked more like real girls than store-bought paper dolls. She called Mama an artist.

 

“Too bad you won’t be here, Thelma,” Fran said, trying to keep a straight face.

 

The high school classes Papa taught ended at three thirty, but he stayed late every day grading papers and preparing for the next morning. The boys who attended his school didn’t get out early for farm chores; they either skipped school altogether on harvest days, or they simply dropped out after eighth grade. Papa had lots of opinions about this. He believed everyone needed a high school education at the very least.

 

“You bet you will,” he said.

 

His stern words, aimed at Halle, felt like a blast of icy wind. But his sharp blue eyes barely grazed her as they focused on Mama. Halle saw them take in Mama’s pink cheeks and trembling hands as she smoothed the hair off her forehead.

 

“You need to help out more around here, Halle,” he said. “Your mother is not your servant.”

 

“It’s fine, Graham,” Mama said quickly, putting a hand on his arm. “Halle helped me with the applesauce earlier. She does plenty of chores. You know that.”

 

A look passed between them. Papa frowned, then nodded slightly, turning to wash his hands at the sink.

 

Why does he always do that? This was between Mama and me. It had nothing to do with him. Halle set her lips in a firm line to keep from saying something that would upset Mama, but inside, she seethed.

 

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About Mindy Nichols Wendell:

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Mindy Nichols Wendell taught writing and pedagogy at SUNY Fredonia for
many years, where she served as the Director of the Composition Program. In
2019, she received the prestigious State University of New York Chancellor’s
Award for Excellence in Teaching. Mindy lives in Western New York with her
husband, Steve, a retired teacher. She is located not far from the ruins of the
J. N. Adam Tuberculosis Hospital, the inspiration for LIGHT AND AIR.

Website | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

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Giveaway contest ribbon promo label prize. Vector giveaway banner badge design template

 

1 winner will receive a finished copy of LIGHT AND AIR, US Only.

Ends January 31st, midnight EST.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/15/2024

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt/IG Post

1/15/2024

Lady Hawkeye

Excerpt/IG Post

1/16/2024

Kountry Girl Bookaholic

Excerpt/IG Post

1/16/2024

YA Books Central

Excerpt/IG Post

1/17/2024

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

1/17/2024

Fyrekatz
Blog

Review

1/18/2024

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post

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TheStarandTheStrangeMoon copy

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We are thrilled to share The Star and the Strange Moon this week. Read on for more details and my review!

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The Star and the Strange Moon

Publication Date: November 2023

Genre: Historical Fantasy

From the author of A Witch in Time comes a haunting tale of ambition, obsession, and the eternal mystery and magic of film.

A vanished star. A haunted film. A mystery only love can unravel…

1968: Gemma Turner once dreamed of stardom. Now the actress is on the cusp of obscurity. When she’s offered the lead in a radical new horror film, Gemma believes her luck has changed—but her dream is about to turn into a nightmare. One night, between the shadows of an alleyway, Gemma disappears on set and is never seen again. Yet, Gemma is alive. She’s been pulled into the film. And the script—and the monsters within it—are coming to life. Gemma must play her role perfectly if she hopes to survive.

2007: Gemma Turner’s disappearance is one of Hollywood’s greatest mysteries—one that’s captivated film student Christopher Kent ever since he saw L’Étrange Lune for the first time. The screenings only happen once a decade and each time there is new, impossible footage of Gemma that shouldn’t exist. Curiosity drives Christopher to unravel the truth. But answers to the film’s mystery may leave him trapped by it forever.

Get it Here!

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MY REVIEW

There’s been many a time when I sat down to read a book and didn’t look up until I finished it. Even ones as long as this one at almost 500 pages. I did have to stop reading it at one point to run an errand and quickly picked it back up when I returned. I was hooked. So hooked.

The synopsis was so intriguing. An actress, Gemma Turner, vanished during the filming of a movie in 1968. Flash forward to 2007 and film student, Christopher Kent, obsessed with finding out what happened to her after the simple act of seeing her picture on a wall drove his mother over the edge to insanity. And a secret screening of Gemma’s last acting role in L’Etrange Lune that takes place once every 10 years. Yes, it intrigued me.

As you can guess, the story jumps back and forth in time. First I’d be immersed in Gemma’s life and then I’d be immersed in what happened when she vanished and then I’d be immersed in Christopher’s present life and then his past.  That’s how this story was told and each time the story jumped to another character and time I’d be anxious to return. And that happened EVERY time with each era and character I was reading. And that’s why I couldn’t put it down. That and the fact the many character’s were so interesting, so genuine, flaws and all. Especially Gemma and Christopher. The author wrote her words and breathed life into them. I cared what happened. Felt their sorrow, their angst. How could I not.

In the hours I spent reading The Star And The Strange Moon I felt like I was transported into a fantasy world, a tragedy, a horror story…… a love story. What a fabulous feeling it was.

5 STARS

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About the Author

Constance Sayers headshotTSSM

Constance Sayers is the author of two best-selling novels: A Witch in Time (Hachette, 2020) and The Ladies of the Secret Circus (Hachette, 2021), the latter receiving both a Publishers Weekly and Library Journal starred reviews. Her work has been translated into six languages and her third novel, The Star and the Strange Moon will be published by Hachette on 11.14.23. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society, and her short fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net.

She received an MA in English from George Mason University and a B.A. in Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. She lives outside of Washington D.C.

Constance Sayers

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The Buffalo Butcher: Jack the Ripper in the Electric City
Robert Brighton

 

Publication date: October 8th 2023
Genres: Adult, Historical

Has Jack the Ripper returned?

Summer 1901, and the great Pan-American Exposition welcomes the world to Buffalo, New York—Queen of the Lakes . . . the Electric City. Eight million visitors throng the bustling boomtown—all of them looking for a good time.

While the Pan-American blazes bright, in its shadow lies a zone of darker pleasures: the Tenderloin District, a rabbit’s warren of saloons, brothels, and ask-no-questions hotels. In this sprawling vice quarter, fully as large as the Exposition itself, fairgoers can indulge their less innocent appetites.

As heat and swarming crowds choke the city, the bodies of prostitutes begin turning up, slashed and mutilated by a pitiless hand—their flesh carved with strange symbols. Their gruesome murders are a final indignity worked on once-hopeful young women.

Some say the killings are the work of the Devil himself. Others hint that the Whitechapel Murderer, Jack the Ripper, has crossed the Atlantic to resume his bloody career. Yet the city’s power brokers—afraid of any publicity that would harm the Exposition—turn a blind eye to the victims.

As the bloody summer wears on, only one thing is clear: it’ll be up to the working girls themselves to stop the carnage. And in The Buffalo Butcher, five of them will stand together to confront the killer . . . and to reclaim their humanity.

An important new novel by Robert Brighton, acclaimed author of the Avenging Angel Detective Agency™ Mysteries.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

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A NOTE TO THE READER:

From Author Robert Brighton…

Eight million people—about one in nine Americans—came to Buffalo, New York, to see the “Pan.” The cynics thought it was nothing more than yet another bloated world’s fair. But most found the Electric City to be an expression of all that was good and hopeful: the unity of North and South American nations, the triumph of Man over Nature, and the advent of the modern scientific and engineering marvels that would herald a new century of peace and prosperity.

We can debate which camp won out, but one thing is certain. The assassination of President William McKinley in the Pan-American’s Temple of Music drew a curtain forever over the promise of the Pan— and left Buffalo with a bitter legacy that is remembered even today.

The Buffalo Butcher also takes us into a darker side of bright, up-and-coming Buffalo, then the nation’s fastest-growing city. We visit the back alleys of the Tenderloin District, a large red-light zone in the heart of downtown, where most anything was tolerated by city officials and police, so long as it stayed put. Hundreds of brothels and low-end dives huddled together in the Tenderloin and existed—for the most part—on the exploitation of young women who often had no other good option.

It’s an unflinching and sometimes hard-to-bear story of the real evil that walks among us, the warped and wicked who prey on the vulnerable, and how they work their black magic. I could not turn away from that part: If you’re looking for a ‘cozy mystery’, this ain’t it—I had to tell the story in a way that would do honor to the victims, and without any sympathy for the devil.

Yet, I think, Butcher it is also a story of friendship and love, decency and honor, and perhaps most of all courage, among a group of outcast women confronting loneliness, condemnation, shame, and loss. The masks come off in The Buffalo Butcher, and while as always I hope you’ll find it a good read, I hope too that you’ll find the story as touching as I did—even if a little spooky.

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About Author Robert Brighton:

Award-winning author Robert Brighton is an authority on the Gilded Age, and a great believer that the Victorian era was anything but stuffy. In his Avenging Angel Detective Agency Mysteries, Brighton exposes the turbulence of the era – its passions, dreams, and disasters – against a backdrop of careful research on the places, sights, sounds, and smells of the time.

When he is not walking the streets in the footsteps of the Avenging Angels, sniffing out unsolved mysteries, Brighton is an adventurer. He has traveled in more than 50 countries around the world, personally throwing himself into every situation his characters will face – from underground ruins to opium dens – and (so far) living to tell about it.

A graduate of the Sorbonne, Paris, Brighton is an avid student of early 20th Century history and literature, an ardent and relentless investigator, and an admirer of Emily Dickinson and Jim Morrison. He lives in Virginia with his wife and their two cats.

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Book Details:

Delaware from Railways to Freeways / First State, Second Phase
 by Dave Tabler
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, 110 pages
Genre: American History, Colonial
Publisher: Dave Tabler
Publication Date: Nov 1, 2023
Content Rating: G. None needed. Works for all audiences.
 

Delaware from Railroads to Freeways by Dave Tabler is a visually stunning book that takes readers on a captivating journey through Delaware’s 19th-century history. With engaging narrative and stunning graphics that seem to leap off the page, this book provides an immersive and enthralling reading experience as Tabler chronicles the rich history of Delaware. This is his second installment of a three-part series on the history of Delaware – the First State…. For Delaware natives and enthusiasts, this is probably one of the best-illustrated background books of Delaware’s 19th-century history as you can find about the First State. It is truly a captivating book.  AuthorsReading

“Dave Tabler’s Delaware from Railways to Freeways is a fascinating history text covering important sites and artifacts from the first state. The book includes a wealth of historical and social insights into the production techniques and ultimate significance behind the early Delaware artifacts and events it covers. It makes note of the geographical importance of certain buildings and landscapes as well. Detailed images appear on each page of the book alongside brief, evocative descriptions of their meaning and significance. The result is an involving pictorial history of the evolution of Delaware, complemented by distinguishing coverage of the development of the state’s transportation infrastructure.” — Foreword Reviews

“Tabler’s second entry in a trilogy covering the history of Delaware rides the rails into the First State’s storied past, covering the tumultuous yet prosperous 19th century and the dawn of the 20th, that era of iron, steam, Civil War, suffragettes, technical marvels, and surprises both fun—like the history of scrapple, or the suspender-and-pants rig known as a “breeches buoy” used to rescue mariners—to the morbid, like public whipping posts or the jolting tale of a child’s corpse being sent through the mail. The stories of trends, people, and material goods that Tabler highlights, in short and inviting bursts of text, are interesting and well buttressed by the copious illustrations.” — Booklife

The contents are entertaining and varied, offering glimpses of little-known aspects of American history, from Colonial-era enmity between Whigs and Tories to inventions such as the Manby mortar, a cannon-like device used in rescuing people from sinking ships, to a bartending goose.” – Kirkus Reviews

Delaware from Railways to Freeways is the second book in a series that began with Delaware Before the Railroads and whose planned conclusion is Delaware from Freeways to e-Ways. In his preface, author Dave Tabler touts the advent of the railroad, saying that it “ushered in a prosperous era for the First State” due to Delaware’s “strategic location” on the Delaware Bay. The book is mostly photographs, all of which are vibrant and compelling and include objects that would not be present in most histories of the state, such as John Jones’s adjustable peach sorter: an 1874 invention that revolutionized peach sorting. Or the crawlspace in the home of Quaker couple Daniel and Mary Corbit, in which they hid a fugitive slave in 1845. Tabler’s captions are bite-sized yet satisfying, offering readers a plethora of history without making them feel overworked. …More a coffee-table book than a proper history, Dave Tabler’s Delaware from Railways to Freeways is a worthy read for any devotee of Delaware’s past. — Indie Reader

Delaware from Railways to Freeways offers readers a captivating journey through Delaware’s lesser-known history. It is an excellent choice for those who relish reading about unusual facts and harbor a passion for history, even if it occasionally leans toward trivia. This book provides a valuable contribution to understanding Delaware’s rich heritage. — Literary Titan


Book Description:

Delaware from Railways to Freeways covers eye-opening information about the region and its residents from 1800 to 1907. Laying out a captivating journey through pictures and offering up little-known anecdotes, entertainingly educational stories, and a comprehensive deep dive, Tabler gives insightful commentary on inventions, contributors to society, and transformative technology. History lovers of all ages will immensely enjoy this trove of 19th-century lore.

Buy the Book:
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Guest Post From Author David Tabler
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How to speak in public.

When I first entered the workforce, an older colleague mentioned that he was a member of Toastmasters International, a group that trains professionals from different fields how to present a polished speech. He invited me to a meeting, and suggested getting training from the group would help my career tremendously.

He was correct. Learning to organize myself, learning to be comfortable in front of a large group, have indeed proven invaluable.

Speaking before a gathering is a terrifying experience for a large portion of the population. What if I forget my place in my speech? What if people fall asleep while I’m talking? What if they hate what I have to say? There are lots of stressors. But as in so many other areas of life, the more you prepare, the smoother things go.

I’ve been doing the rounds this year presenting a short spiel titled “10 Things You Might Not Know About Delaware.” Each setting, each group brings different energies. I presented before 100 people at the Delaware Agricultural Museum last spring. Very formal, part of a speaker lineup for a traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibit. Little time for Q&A, as there were other speakers on the roster. For that event I was expected to clip right along, make my points and wrap it up.

By contrast, I spoke at a library local to me more recently. Small, intimate group in a conference room, as opposed to a large hall. For that setting I did not use a microphone. I came out from behind the podium and sat in a chair almost as part of the group. There were plenty of pauses in the script as audience members asked questions. Much more conversational.

Toastmasters trains speakers to think on their feet. Glitches often happen, especially in the tech area. Microphones crackle or don’t work at all, presentation clickers do odd things if you stray too far from their range. It’s easy to get flustered, and inexperienced speakers often get thrown off stride.

This is where the preparation idea is crucial. If you know your topic inside and out, and don’t rely on verbatim reading from a script, you simply make a quick joke to the effect of “well, technology is our friend….until it’s not,” and find a workaround. Most audiences are on the side of the speaker and accept that things can go wrong. They soon forget about the hiccup if the speaker is able to gracefully move past it.

In every audience there seems to be that person who wants to show how much they know. Sometimes they are in fact an expert, sometimes they just enjoy tripping the speaker. The first time I encountered this situation I was caught like a deer in the headlights. The audience was going to think I was an idiot for not knowing this factoid brought up by the expert/skeptic. As I’ve spoken over the years I’ve learned not to get into an argument with such people. It’s best to simply stay humble and acknowledge that it’s amazing how much there is to learn still. I’ll often say something to the effect of “that’s a fascinating point you bring up. I’m looking forward to doing some digging on that. It might be a great thing to work into my next presentation!” That flatters both the expert and the skeptic, and allows the speaker to get back to their main focus.

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Meet Author Dave Tabler:

Ten year old Dave Tabler decided he was going to read the ‘R’ volume from the family’s World Book Encyclopedia set over summer vacation. He never made it from beginning to end. He did, however, become interested in Norman Rockwell, rare-earth elements, and Run for the Roses.

Tabler’s father encouraged him to try his hand at taking pictures with the family camera. With visions of Rockwell dancing in his head, Tabler press-ganged his younger brother into wearing a straw hat and sitting next to a stream barefoot with a homemade fishing pole in his hand. The resulting image was terrible.

Dave Tabler went on to earn degrees in art history and photojournalism despite being told he needed a ‘Plan B.’

Fresh out of college, Tabler contributed the photography for The Illustrated History of American Civil War Relics, which taught him how to work with museum curators, collectors, and white cotton gloves. He met a man in the Shenandoah Valley who played the musical saw, a Knoxville fellow who specialized in collecting barbed wire, and Tom Dickey, brother of the man who wrote ‘Deliverance.’

In 2006 Tabler circled back to these earlier encounters with Appalachian culture as an idea for a blog. AppalachianHistory.net today reaches 375,000 readers a year.

Dave Tabler moved to Delaware in 2010 and became smitten with its rich past. He no longer copies Norman Rockwell, but his experience working with curators and collectors came in handy when he got the urge to photograph a love letter to Delaware’s early heritage. This may be the start of something.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ pinterest ~ instagram ~ goodreads

 
 
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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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